Dangerous precedent, Council raided, and demerger approved

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• Moorabool Shire faces a $1/2M clean up bill after a loss at VCAT
• A council and union meet to discuss workplace culture concerns
• A sacked street sweeper wins compensation, and is now considering a tilt at federal politics
• A dramatic raid on a Sydney council
• The green light for a demerger of Cootamundra-Gundagai Council
• A marathon Council meeting fails to come to a decision on mayoral misconduct allegations
• and the heavy toll of vandalism on councils in northern Tasmania

plus more local government news from around Australia and beyond.

To ensure all councils can comply with mandatory requirements, no matter their size or location, the VLGA is offering a special Councillor Professional Development (CPD) Intensives series.

Partner with three other councils and save more than 50% off the minimum cost of completing all 13 modules in Year 1.

Learn more about SmartGlue at www.symphony3.com

Chapters

• 1:49 Victorian Report
• 8:17 NSW Report
• 11:55 QLD Report
• 15:36 TAS/SA/WA/NT Report
• 18:37 Global Report

Transcript

Victorian Roundup:

Moorabool Shire Council is facing a half-million-dollar cleanup bill after a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruling this week.

The VCAT decision requires the council to remove harmful industrial waste illegally dumped on council-managed land, despite claims the EPA had been monitoring the dumper without taking action.

Mayor Paul Tatchell said it was completely unfair that ratepayers should foot the bill, which amounts to around $25 for each ratepayer in the shire.

The council is now planning the cleanup operation, which will likely involve road closures and specialist contractors.

Mayor Tatchell warned the ruling sets a dangerous precedent for councils across Victoria, potentially making council-managed land a target for illegal dumping of hazardous materials.

Moorabool Shire is currently running a campaign against illegal dumping in the region, particularly by builders and contractors coming in the shire for work.

Moira Shire Council and the Australian Services Union have held a productive meeting to discuss workplace culture concerns, according to the Cobram Courier.

The union recently published survey results painting a troubling picture, with nearly 80 percent of respondents feeling workplace conditions were deteriorating and 68 percent reporting experiencing threats or intimidation.

Council CEO Matthew Morgan has disputed the findings, citing internal surveys showing improvements across key metrics.

He has pointed to significant leadership changes and policy reforms implemented since a damning 2022 Commission of Enquiry that described a "catastrophic governance failure" at the council.

Banyule Council says it shares community concerns about blue discolouration of Banyule Creek at Rosanna.

EPA Victoria and Melbourne Water are leading an investigation and response to the issue, confirming that Council drains are not the source of the pollution.

Investigations have confirmed that the bright blue pollutant is from dust suppressant used in North East Link road construction.

Workers from the project are undertaking the clean up with oversight from the EPA.

Banyule Council says it will continue To support the investigation, monitoring downstream areas for any ongoing effects.

The Herald Sun reported that Shaun Turner, a street sweeper dismissed by Darebin Council for questioning the use of an Acknowledgment of Country in a team meeting, has received a compensation payout after the Fair Work Commission ruled his dismissal was unfair.

The 61-year-old is now considering a career in federal politics.

The City of Boroondara has welcomed the State Government's investment in expanding social housing at the Alamein Avenue site in Ashburton.

Mayor Sophie Torney said the council has been calling for greater investment in social, community, and affordable housing stock for many years, and is pleased with the plan to redevelop and expand the Ashburton site.

She said the Council and community are engaging with the state to suggest improvements to wider planning reforms to deliver responsible housing growth.

The MAV has welcomed the announcement of a targeted review of the childcare sector after the revelation of disturbing alleged incidents at the state’s childcare centres.

It is calling for coordinated action both in terms of the immediate response and broader systems reform.

The peak body is engaging directly with council staff on the issues, noting that councils have a crucial frontline role.

Towong Shire Council will lead a community rally in Corryong, in support of a single site regional hospital.

Mayor Andrew Whitehead said the council remains gravely concerned about the planned redevelopment of the existing Albury hospital, arguing it won't meet future capacity needs for the region's growing population of 300,000 people.

The rally will be held on Sunday, August 10th at Corryong Memorial Hall.

Greater Dandenong City Council is planning a community hub in central Dandenong and has held multiple rounds of co-design workshops where community priorities for a large play space, more open space, and parking were identified.

Development is currently on hold pending observation of the new Keysborough Community Hub opening in September 2025.

The Council has paused further decisions until December when they will provide another update to the community.

Mansfield Shire Council has submitted a grant application seeking almost $19M from the Federal Government for a new Emergency Services Precinct.

That’s despite the State Government deeming the current SES facilities as "functional."

The proposed precinct would include new buildings for Mansfield SES, Ambulance Victoria, and an Emergency Resilience Centre, addressing community feedback that emergency services are a priority.

Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said there was a clear and obvious need for better emergency services facilities.

Victorian Briefs:

Darebin Council seeks EOIs for leasing and licensing over 20 council-owned properties until September 22nd.

The council aims to partner with community and commercial entities to maximise property value while benefiting the local community, with decisions expected by November.

Swan Hill Rural City Council says its 2025 survey results show significant improvements in community satisfaction, with the overall performance index rising to 54.

That positions it above the Large Rural Councils group average and State-wide benchmarks.

Murrindindi Shire Council has become Victoria's 66th council to sign the Small Business Friendly Charter, boosting support for local entrepreneurs.

The agreement features six commitments to implement within 12 months, including streamlined permits, reduced infrastructure disruption, and prompt supplier payments.

National Roundup:

NSW:

The Independent Commission Against Corruption conducted a dramatic raid on City of Parramatta Council offices earlier this week, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

ICAC officers entered Parramatta Council's Wentworth Street headquarters on Monday afternoon, just hours before a scheduled council meeting. Multiple sources confirm the integrity agency seized mobile phones from several senior staff members and spent time in the council's main boardroom.

The purpose of the raid remains unclear, with ICAC declining to comment on the matter. The council meeting proceeded as normal later that day, with councillors reportedly unaware of the raid.

The council has recently faced scrutiny over reports that almost $5.24 million of ratepayers' money was spent removing 81 staff over four years, with 30 staff members signing secret agreements for payouts.

Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council has received approval to proceed with its long-sought demerger.

The Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig, announced that the council will split into two separate entities, reversing a controversial 2016 forced amalgamation.

Mayor Abb McAlister met with the Minister in Gundagai, where the Boundaries Commission and Public Inquiry reports were released, paving the way for the dissolution process.

The Council will now establish a transition management office to work out the specifics of separating assets, liabilities, staffing, and governance arrangements between the two future councils.

Minister Hoenig spoke bluntly about the original merger, stating: "Cootamundra and Gundagai are two councils that should never have been merged" and describing the previous government's amalgamation policy as "a ruse."

The decision follows years of community opposition to the merger, with the Council having documented significant financial burdens resulting from the forced amalgamation.

Orange City Council has appointed Barry Omundson as interim CEO starting August 4th to allow more time for recruiting a long-term CEO.

Current CEO David Waddell announced in March that he would not seek a contract extension after 15 years with the council.

Mr. Omundson has worked in leadership roles across local government, the public service, and the private sector, including positions at West Coast, Central Coast, Walcha, Whitsundays, and Mackay councils.

Noreen Vu has commenced her role as the new permanent Chief Executive Officer of Snowy Monaro Regional Council, moving from her previous role as head of Weddin Shire Council.

Mayor Chris Hanna said he was excited about Ms Vu's appointment, and her commitment to local grassroots engagement.

In her first week on the job, Ms Vu has been meeting the teams at the council’s depots, facilities and offices across the region.

James Hawkins has been elected as Ward A Councillor for Cessnock City Council in a countback election, after the resignation of former Mayor Jay Suvaal.

Cr Hawkins is a former three term councillor and two time deputy mayor.

Mayor Dan Watton welcomed Cr Hawkins back to the council, and paid tribute to Jay Suvaal for his contributions and service to the city.

Canterbury Bankstown Council's Ian Stromborg Play Space has been awarded a prestigious architects award for Play Spaces, recognising its community-focused design that incorporates First Nations art and accessible amenities.

The playground, named after a former Bankstown mayor, is part of Council's transformation of the Paul Keating Park precinct.

It will now advance to the National Landscape Architecture Awards in October.

QLD:

A chaotic meeting of Redland City Council on Wednesday, when a scheduled vote on misconduct allegations against Mayor Jos Mitchell spiralled into a nine-hour marathon of legal disputes and procedural deadlocks.

The Courier Mail reported that the meeting began at 9:30 AM, and finally adjourned just before 7pm.

There was heated debate over whether Deputy Mayor Julie Talty had a conflict of interest in voting on the Mayor's conduct report. Mayor Mitchell presented a seven-page legal letter mid-meeting, catching councillors off guard and sparking confusion in the chamber.

Despite costing ratepayers over $18,000 for an independent investigation which found claims against the Mayor were unsubstantiated, the council failed to reach any decision after multiple adjournments and procedural wrangling.

The matter was deferred to a future meeting for further consideration.

It was the third council meeting in three months to exceed five hours in duration.

Hundreds of residents of North Burnett Regional Council have gathered to protest what they're calling "astronomical" rate increases.

The Central and North Burnett Times reported that more than 240 concerned citizens attended a community meeting in Gayndah on Wednesday, with many sharing emotional stories about the impact of the council's 25 percent general rates hike.

The community is calling for the council to reconsider the rate rise and is seeking a meeting with the state Local Government Minister.

Noosa Council has intensified its crackdown on illegal camping, issuing an additional 20 fines during their latest enforcement operation.

Operations targeted eastern beach locations, particularly Peregian Beach, where residents have complained about campers leaving rubbish and using public spaces inappropriately.

Council Director Richard MacGillivray says overnight parking restrictions are being expanded to more areas.

“..”

Mr Gillivray has allayed concerns that homeless individuals are being targeted by the crackdown.

“..”

National Briefs:

Fraser Coast Regional Council's WaterOne Laboratory has obtained national accreditation to test for Legionella bacteria in water, becoming one of few regional Queensland labs with the certification.

It means faster, more accessible testing for hospitals, aged care facilities, and businesses, eliminating the need to rely on Brisbane labs.

Parkes Shire Council is transforming former wastewater treatment ponds into a biodiverse wetlands area with funding from the Growing Regions Program and NSW Government.

The project will feature amenities like aquatic boardwalks, bird hides, and walking tracks and is scheduled for completion by late 2026.

The District Council of Yankalilla has launched a fully funded cat desexing program for eligible residents, replacing a previous subsidised model, to remove financial barriers to responsible pet ownership.

The initiative aims to address cat overpopulation issues by providing free desexing services through participating veterinary clinics coordinated by the National Desexing Network.

TAS:

Police were called to remove a disruptive attendee from a Kentish Council meeting in northern Tasmania this week, according to Pulse Tasmania.

The meeting had to be suspended for an hour after Tasmania Police escorted out a person who Mayor Kate Haberle says is "temporarily not permitted to attend council meetings."

Mayor Haberle expressed disappointment over what she described as "divisive and disruptive actions of a very small number of individuals," emphasising that the council welcomes robust discussion but maintains a zero-tolerance policy for aggressive, intimidating or violent behavior.

Details of the incident remain unclear as no recording of the proceedings has been released.

Vandalism is taking a heavy toll on northern Tasmanian councils, with The Examiner reporting that some municipalities spending up to $40,000 in the last financial year to repair damaged public infrastructure.

Northern Midlands Council has been particularly hard hit, with costs approaching $41,000 by May – an increase of $12,000 compared to the previous year. The situation has become so severe that officials have been forced to close public toilets and barbecue facilities.

West Tamar Council dealt with 88 vandalism incidents last financial year, costing nearly $38,000 – up from approximately $31,000 the previous year.

Mayor Christina Holmdahl said the vandalism was placing "unnecessary financial strain on councils right across Tasmania."

Even public art isn't safe, with a recently unveiled Deloraine mural defaced with tags just weeks after its completion.

WA:

The City of Albany has successfully completed the Southern Ocean Surf Reef at Middleton Beach, creating a consistent surf break for beginner to intermediate surfers that has already received positive community feedback.

The project, funded through partnerships at all levels of government, aims to benefit tourism, economic development, and youth retention in the region while enhancing the local beach precinct.

The City of Melville will continue to replace vandalised trees along local foreshores despite repeated damage, erecting signage to raise awareness of the costs and impacts of such vandalism.

The majority of community members support increased foreshore vegetation, with a 2024 survey showing nearly 75 percent of respondents want more trees.

The council is encouraging reporting of any witnessed tree vandalism.

NT:

LGANT and Local Buy have renewed their five-year partnership to simplify procurement processes for NT businesses looking to work with councils.

The initiative has already facilitated over $25 million in procurement spending with local suppliers since 2021.

The aim of the partnership is to keep more money within NT communities by making it easier for local businesses to become pre-qualified suppliers, bypassing complex tenders and saving time and money in the process.

Global Roundup:

UK:

The UK Government has appointed four commissioners to oversee the debt-ridden South London borough of Croydon.

The commissioners will have extensive powers over the council's leadership and finances, after the borough overspent by £30 million last year alone.

The council is £1.6 billion in debt, with a staggering £70 million being spent annually just to service loans.

The commissioners' oversight will last up to two years, with a review scheduled after 12 months.

Meanwhile, the local government minister Jim mcMahon has written to Liverpool City Council, confirming that departmental support provided since June last year will end.

Mr McMahon said he was pleased with the level of progress and improvement at the council and he no longer expects to receive formal progress reports.

In what's believed to be a first for the UK, the Reform-led Durham County Council has voted to rescind its climate emergency declaration, originally made in 2019.

The Guardian reported that the council, which gained a Reform majority in the May local elections, has instead declared a "care emergency" after a heated debate in which Reform Council leader claimed the authority is now "driven by data and common sense."

Dissenting councillors called the move "cynical and insulting" and “a very dark day.”

Meanwhile, West Northamptonshire Council, also Reform-led, has become the first local authority to abolish its net zero targets entirely.

USA:

In Florida, Palm Coast City Council has voted 4-1 to censure Mayor Mike Norris for the second time since April and has formally requested that Governor Ron DeSantis remove him from office.

USA Today reported that the Council's decision follows Mayor Norris's controversial lawsuit against the city, in which he attempted to remove Councilman Charles Gambaro from office. The suit was rejected by a judge who ruled Norris lacked standing to bring the case.

City Attorney Jeremiah Blocker has contradicted Norris's claim that he received no legal advice about the potential failure of his lawsuit, stating in an email that the mayor "was given ample legal advice on this matter and chose to ignore it."

The conflict intensified following a social media incident where Mayor Norris posted Councilman Gambaro's personal phone number publicly, which Norris later claimed was unintentional.

And in Ohio, Columbus City Council has passed historic legislation this week establishing an LGBTQ+ affairs commission.

The unanimous vote will see a commission of 13 members advising the city council on matters affecting people of all sexual orientations and gender identity.

It’s the second commission of its kind to be established in Ohio, following a similar decision in Cincinnati in March.

CANADA:

In British Columbia, Nanaimo City Council has rejected a $412,000 proposal to build a security fence around city hall that was intended to protect staff from disorder associated with a neighbouring overdose prevention site.

CTV News reported that council members had doubts about the fence's effectiveness in addressing safety concerns, with some believing it would create a "false sense of safety."

The city’s mayor said there was the need for provincial investment in mental health resources instead.

NZ:

Local Government Minister Simon Watts has introduced the Local Government System Improvements Amendment Bill, aimed at redirecting councils back to their basic functions.

Radio New Zealand reported that the legislation will remove four wellbeing provisions - social, economic, environmental, and cultural - which were reintroduced by the previous Labour government in 2019.

Minister Watts says the changes will help address rising rates and poor value for money by forcing councils to concentrate on essential services like roads, infrastructure, water, and waste management.

The reform package also includes new financial performance measures, mandatory disclosure of contractor spending, and regulatory relief to reduce compliance burdens.

The government has also called for a halt to work on district and regional plans, which some councils say will have unintended consequences.

Changes to legislation are expected to come into effect in 2027, andDa in the meantime government minister Chris Bishop says pointless planning and policy processes will be halted pending the introduction of a new planning system.

Waikato Regional Council has become the eighth council in two years to withdraw from Local Government New Zealand. The council voted 6-5 to exit the national advocacy body, saving an annual $122,000 in membership fees.

Te Awamatu News reported that the decision was due to concerns that LGNZ focuses too heavily on district issues and takes a "left-leaning approach" that hinders cooperation with central government.

Waikato joins Auckland, Kaipara District, Christchurch City, West Coast Regional, Grey District, Westland District, and Western Bay of Plenty District councils in leaving the organisation.